A woman accused of murder is set to stand trial next year after a man was stabbed to death.
Joanne Moran appeared before Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Thursday, accused of murdering Jonathan Gibbons. The 50-year-old was rushed to hospital having suffered a stab wound to his chest at a house on Bridge Road in Litherland at around 4.45am on Sunday, October 30, but died later that day.
Moran, who appeared via video link to HMP Styal, was not asked to enter a plea and spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth during a 10-minute hearing. A four-day trial was scheduled for April 3 2023, with the 42-year-old mum remanded into custody by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ahead of a further appearance on January 19.
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A post-mortem investigation confirmed that Mr Gibbons died as a result of his stab wound, with police having arrested a woman at the scene. A cordon was in place put up around the address in the aftermath of the incidents, with officers having carried out CCTV and house-to-house inquiries in the area.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Caton said: "This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly lost his life. An investigation is now underway, which is in the very early stages as we seek to establish what has happened which has led to this tragic incident."
Tributes have flooded in for Mr Gibbons, who was known as John and described as a "lovely man who always knew how to have a laugh". Friend Stephen Hollinshead said: "It is very hard to process.
"I have known him for a long time, since we were young. He had a soft heart and knew how to have a good time with friends.
"He was a good lad, a real gentle giant, and you could always talk to him about anything. It's just not going to be the same without him and nothing will replace him.
"He was a good friend and a good dad. He will never be for forgotten about."
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